On Saturday 5th November, University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) in partnership with Althea, took delivery of a brand new, state-of-the-art MRI relocatable unit, a UK-first delivery for the Imaging Department at UHL. This relocatable unit replaces the Trust’s old trailer via their 18-year managed service contract, which has already seen a wave of replacements take place at UHL this year.

On Friday 10th February the unit was officially opened at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) by one of the Trust’s patients Luke Swain. Luke has been a patient of UHL’s since the age of nine when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Now twenty-two he has had regular MRI scans and has got to know the department and staff very well over the years. The opening ceremony saw the cutting of the ribbon, followed by a food and drinks reception attended by key members of staff from the hospital as well as some of Luke’s family.

The unit was constructed at Lamboo Mobile Medical’s factory in the Netherlands for five months and houses a Siemens MRI scanner which was delivered and partly installed in preparation of delivery. The 1.5T Magnetom Aera offers a more comfortable experience as well as many technological advances. The detailed images it provides can enhance diagnostic confidence – giving you one of the highest quality MRI exams available today.

The delivery to the LRI was a complicated process, managed by Lamboo Mobile Medical, a global company specialising in the engineering and manufacturing of Mobile and Modular healthcare solutions and logistics company, Westdijk Transport. The transportation of the extra-large load, which involved a ferry trip from Holland to the UK, was four metres wide and twenty metres long, but successfully made it to the outside of the Physiotherapy department at the LRI where it has taken permanent residence.

Historically, MRI system replacements can cause months of disruption to hospitals and their patient waiting lists, however, by purchasing a relocatable unit, the LRI were able to continue a normal, undisrupted service to their patients. Without onsite disruption, Lamboo worked with Althea, Siemens Healthineers and the Trust’s Estates department to allow 90% of the installation to take place at Lamboo’s factory in the Netherlands.

The Estates team at the Trust were heavily involved with the installation process, ensuring the slab that the relocatable unit would rest on was able to support the unit. Special concrete flooring also had to be laid to ensure the unit was safe and level for scanning and could integrate with the hospital’s infrastructure.

Francesca Evans, Althea’s Chief Technologist commented, “We are really excited about this relocatable unit, the first on our portfolio. The collaborative working by all teams; Althea, Lamboo, Westdijk, Siemens Healthineers and UHL has worked really well and it’s great to see all our hard work paid off now that the Trust are scanning patients.”

Rajinder Sandhu, UHL’s MRI Superintendent Radiographer commented: “This project is a culmination of months of hard work by a team of experts collaborating from across different parts of Europe. It’s a very innovative approach to increase our capacity and many other trusts are looking at using as a model going forward.”

Matthew Archer, Head of Operations for Clinical Support and Imaging at Leicester’s Hospitals, adds: “Historically, this kind of project would have caused months of disruption to our Imaging department so we are all delighted it was up and running within weeks.”

David Rolfe has been appointed Althea’s UK & Ireland CEO effective 1st February 2017. David brings with him a wealth of experience in the provision of quality Radiology and Radiotherapy managed services.

David commented, “I am excited to be joining an excellent team who care passionately about delivering the most effective and efficient technology management services to hospitals, ultimately for the benefit of patients”.

David was one of the founders of Asteral in 2002, and led the business until 2009, when it was recognised in the Sunday Times fast-track 100 as the fastest growing healthcare business in the UK (29th overall). Since leaving in 2009, David has established successful MES businesses in both India and the UK.

Alessandro Dogliani, Group CEO of Althea stated, “We are delighted to have someone of David’s experience joining the business to take forward the opportunities we have as Europe’s leading provider of independent medical equipment solutions and maintenance services”.

https://www.althea-group.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/DR-IMG_8485.jpg33533736bigbrandideas/uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/althealogo-nobottom-300x224.jpgbigbrandideas2017-02-01 14:29:042017-12-14 14:10:43David Rolfe appointed CEO of Althea in the UK & Ireland